Hitachi Files Patent Infringement Complaint against GS Magicstor Companies

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 28, 2004 -- Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (Hitachi GST) today announced that it has sued GS Magicstor Inc. of China, its Chinese parent company, GS Magic, Inc. and Riospring, Inc. of Milpitas, CA., Magicstor's research affiliate, for infringement of multiple Hitachi GST's patents relating to hard disk drives. The suit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

In the lawsuit, Hitachi GST seeks monetary damages and a permanent injunction that bars the GS Magic entities from making, using, importing, offering to sell, or selling the allegedly infringing products in the United States.

"Hitachi GST's ability to compete in the hard disk drive industry is based on a history of deep investment in research and development, particularly in the advancement of innovative small-form-factor hard drives," said Robert Holleran, general manager of Hitachi GST's Hard Disk Drive Group. "We have a responsibility to protect our investment and the intellectual property of our company against those who are competing unfairly in our industry."

About Hitachi Global Storage Technologies

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies was founded in January 2003 as a result of the strategic combination of Hitachi's and IBM's storage technology businesses. By the end of 2003, Hitachi GST became the industry's second largest hard disk drive manufacturer with $4.2 billion in revenue.

The company's goal is to enable users to fully engage in the digital lifestyle by providing access to large amounts of storage capacity in formats suitable for the office, on the road and in the home. The company offers customers worldwide a comprehensive range of storage products for desktop computers, high-performance servers and mobile devices. For more information on Hitachi GST, please visit the company's Web site at www.hitachigst.com.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company, with approximately 326,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2003 (ended March 31, 2004) consolidated sales totaled 8,632.4 billion yen ($81.4 billion). The company offers a wide range of systems, products and services in market sectors, including information systems, electronic devices, power and industrial systems, consumer products, materials and financial services. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's Web site at www.hitachi.com.